Recently a 40-year-old man was charged with drunken driving, which was dismissed after his advocate presented evidence of a medical condition called "auto-brewery syndrome."

What is Auto-Brewery Syndrome?

1. Auto-brewery syndrome, also known as gut fermentation syndrome.
2. It is a rare medical condition in which the body's digestive system converts sugary and starchy foods into alcohol.
3. This internal fermentation process, caused by certain types of fungi or bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, produces ethanol, similar to the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.
4. Individuals with auto-brewery syndrome experience intoxication-like symptoms, despite not consuming any alcoholic beverages. 
5. These symptoms may include dizziness, headache, dehydration, confusion, and impaired coordination.
6. While yeast and fungi naturally feed on sugars and starches during digestion, creating energy for the body, in individuals with auto-brewery syndrome, this process also produces alcohol as a byproduct.
7. People with diabetes, obesity, and Crohn's disease are more likely to develop auto-brewery syndrome, although it can also occur in healthy individuals.
8. Medical experts generally advise people with auto-brewery syndrome to avoid foods high in carbohydrates and sugar to prevent triggering the fermentation process.

FAQs:

Q: What is Fermentation?

1. Fermentation is a chemical process in which organic compounds are broken down by microorganisms such as yeast or bacteria in the absence of oxygen. 

This process is commonly observed in the production of alcoholic beverages, such as wine and beer, and has been practiced for thousands of years.

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